On Sunday, April 27, Hope & Bread City Mission celebrated its first year of offering up food, fellowship, and communion in East Portland’s Montavilla Park every Sunday, rain or shine, since April 28 2024. The first gathering consisted of six volunteers and six unsheltered (but curious!) community members; last Sunday over forty people were served. Hope & Bread—shepherded by the Rev. Sara Fischer and a team of dedicated volunteers—gathers each week to set up canopies, organize survival supplies, and prepare and serve a hot, nutritious meal. Worship is a collaborative effort by leadership and the gathered community. Deeply rooted in the Episopal tradition, God is doing a new thing with Hope & Bread. The mission is funded by donations from individuals and congregations as well as a few small community grants. The community’s leadership is inviting each of us to join in celebrating this one-year milestone with a gift of one dollar for each week of worship in the park: $52 for 52 weeks. To participate, visit diooregon.formstack.com/forms/special_offering and select “Hope & Bread City Mission.” And if you are unable to donate, please consider visiting or volunteering: Hope & Bread meets at 4:30 p.m. every Sunday in Montavilla Park.
